Starbucks Coffee

I got a nice little advance release of this roast sent to me by the fine folks at MSI.

I brewed some up yesterday and this coffee made me realize right away that I really need to invest in a better coffee maker. Currently I have an old school cheapo electric drip and I should definitely step it up to a french press.

Despite my lack of quality brewing equipment the coffee was still excellent. I drank the first half of my cup black to really try and see what it tastes like. The first thing I noticed was how smooth it is. You definitely notice some cocoa notes on the tip of your tongue and more herbal notes as it works its way back.  The second half of the cup I added milk and sugar (the way I normally take my coffee) and this really brought out a spiciness in it. You taste cinnamoney notes.

Overall a pretty good brew. I normally don't drink my coffee black but I could see myself drinking this without my normal milk and sugar.

Hi Dub, thank you for the blog post! I'm very excited for this entire line up of Reserve coffee! I tried the Galapagos Island and it is wonderful. Like smokey sweet chocolate fruit. Looking forward to seeing it available at my local Starbucks right here in Seattle. :)

Melody

Is this where we comment on the 'Galapogos'?  apparently.  

I too am thankful to have some 'special coffees' back but, unlike yrs ago when there were far fewer stores, it seems only a very few stores get these.  (unlike when 'Black Apron' coffees were around and were in all stores..or so it seemed)

I agree with Melody about the 'smokey chocolate'.  I pick up more chocolate in this one than any other.

Not such a clean finish, which I didn't really care for.  Overall good, but I wouldn't call it spectacular. (Yirgacheffe, even Kona)

Which stores have this coffee, provide link please . .. .. . thanks

This coffee is absolutely wonderful! I did the usual take a deep inhale and sip. I can see why this is listed as "Starbucks Reserve™ Coffee: Exotic, Rare, Exquisite". Those are perfect words for this coffee.

If this is the start of this special line I can't wait for the next. The first pot I shared with another "coffee snob" friend of mine. We both held onto our cups selfishly. Now I don't want to share with my friends. That never happens, I love to share. I want to keep Galápagos San Cristóba all for myself.

Keep up the good work. This coffee outshines any other coffee I have tasted, so far.

Thanks Starbucks!  I received an advanced release from you and served it this past weekend to my family and guests who were in town for a friend's wedding.  We added it to our big brunch menu, but this was the absolute winner!!!!

We opened the package to grind it and brew it and everyone came from different rooms to figure out where the delicious chocolate smell was coming from.  While we eagerly awaited it to brew, we sat by the pot just smelling it!!!

We all tried a full cup and it was the best smokey, sweet cholocate coffee I have tasted.  We were so disappointed when the pot was gone and we had to go get dressed in our bridesmaid attire.

I thought about the coffee all day and figuring out where I can buy and stock up on it.  Keep them coming Starbucks.  Once we find out where this is sold, my whole family might just buy you all out!!!!

It is sold out via the Starbucks website.  Does this mean we've missed out on buying it?  There is no way I can make my small bag last me past this week!!!!

I really wish they would have brought back the Aged Sumatra. It is my absolute favorite coffee. I bought as much as I could & put it in the freezer, but alas, my stash is depleted!

@kjminton - Oh yes. I love Aged Sumatra! It's usually considered a winter seasonal coffee, and I'm crossing my fingers that it comes back soon!

Thanks MSI for sending me a free sample! I really enjoyed it! I love how smooth it is and that it's not really bold.  The hint of cocoa combined with its smoothness and sweet aroma definitely left me wanting more!

Thank you for sending me a bag of this coffee to preview; it has been a great treat.  I still maintain that I do not know much about picking up on notes of this or that in coffee, I just know what I like.  With that being said, I knew Galapagos San Cristobol was special right out of my French press.  It is bold, but not too bold, and balanced with all kinds of subtle, cocoa-y yumminess.  <~ technical, I know

This has been a real privilege.  Thanks for including this loyal customer!

Another nice product to consider would be a Vietnamese coffee.  It is a lovely ritual requiring a special little coffee press for making one cup of coffee.  It sits on the cup, some of the grounds are put in and dampened, the rest of the grounds are put in, a press put in and water enough for a cup poured into that.  The coffee slowly drips through and, if it is done correctly, very few grounds fall into the cup.  The result is a delicious, strong coffee, with a unique taste.  Often, sweetened condensed milk is put in the cup first and, after the coffee drips through, you stir it up with the milk.

You can drink it hot, or pour it over a glass of ice for a wonderful iced coffee.

Even though it has a strong taste, it doesn't keep us awake at night like regular coffee in the evening.

Thank you so much, MSI, for the generous preview.    My tasting notes are that this is truly a wonderful coffee.  I enjoyed the cocoa notes, and the aroma alone is delicious.  I savored it even when it cooled, and tried it iced with cream and sugar (although I usually drink hot brewed coffee black).  I found it to be really smooth and palatable.  

This is a very nice offering, although I still favor Yirgacheffe.  I’m having a guest over this week, and am debating whether or not I should hide my stash, but I guess I’ll share.

I am happy that Starbucks is offering these special coffees.  I’ve

been waiting for this type of availability since Black Apron releases ceased, and look forward to trying the next one.

Although it’s only available for a short time, is there a timeframe when you know it’ll stop shipping to stores?   Having a general idea of when to start hoarding it would be great.

Thank you.

I was surprised and delighted to have received this to try. It's amazingly smooth, yet has a bit of spiciness to it with lingering cocoa notes. It holds up well with cream and sugar, and if you let sit in the cup for a few minutes, the spicy and the cocoa seem to meld together yet retains the smoothness from that first sip.

I really enjoyed this offering and was lucky to be able to pick up more in the store before it goes away!

I love this coffee. It had a real smokey aroma and a rich flavor.  I know it is classified as medium roast but it seemed really bold and dark to me,  I usually drink  Sumatra.  This is really a special coffee and worth the expense for the experience of trying something that is outside the range of readily available coffees.  I drank one cup black and one with milk, liked it both ways.  I am going to pair it with some waffles and syrup this weekend I think it will be a good combo.  Thanks Starbucks for sending me this reserve coffee, I can't wait to try the others. . . and of course I'm excited to get this years Thanksgiving blend too.  fall is the best time of year

I just bought 4 bags off the website as I didn't feel like driving around DC to go buy it from the store.  I can't wait to get them.  I have a food saver and will vacuum seal a couple of bags to save some for the holidays!!!  I'm so excited about having to try it and I'm a Starbucks junkie.  Just hook up an IV and go ahead and run it directly in my veins.  Yum.

looking forward to trying the next reserve coffee aged sulawesi, website indicates will be available in stores Oct 5th is this right??  Can't wait, the Galapagos was so good, what's next Starbucks??

I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas. . .